As a Sixers fan, the only good thing you can say about 2010 in general is that hopefully the path was cleared for 2011 to be a little brighter. As far as tangible results go, well, let's just hope we don't have to live through another year like this for a long, long time.
By the time the Sixers finish their game against the Lakers tomorrow night, it will officially be 2011. Let's take a quick look at some key happenings over the past twelve months:
- The Sixers record in the calendar year 2010 was 31 wins and 51 losses.
- Eddie Jordan did his most damage to the team during 2010, was then summarily fired and couldn't even land a job at Rutgers after his dismissal.
- Andre Iguodala survived a rash of trade rumors, only to find himself right back in the mill (and nursing the first nagging injury of his career).
- Jrue Holiday went from a pretty consistent DNPCD to a legit starter, and possibly the best offensive player on the team.
- Ed Stefanski traded away Samuel Dalembert for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni, cementing his laughingstock status among NBA front office personnel.
- The Dalembert trade got the Sixers under what they believed would be the luxury tax threshold, only the luxury tax threshold turned out to be higher than expected and they didn't need to trade Dalembert at all to avoid paying the tax.
- In unrelated news, Ed Stefanski was demoted to go-fer when his mentor was brought in to take not only his job, but his manhood as well.
- Rod Thorn rid Philadelphia of Willie Green in what can only be described as a master stroke.
- The Sixers won the draft lottery (sort of).
- The Sixers drafted Evan Turner with the #2 pick in the draft, then retired to Chili's during the remainder of the draft while other teams continued to wheel and deal.
- Evan Turner did an excellent job spending his first 5 months in a Sixers uniform of completely demoralizing the fan base and lower expectations, only to breakout in the final game of the calendar year.
- Andre Iguodala continues to be ridiculed by the team's fans while playing excellent basketball.
- Here at Depressed Fan we had 39,732 comments (and counting) 793 entries (and counting).
OK, maybe it wasn't the worst year. My heartfelt thanks to all of you guys for making this such an enjoyable endeavor. Here's to a better 2011!
We'll have full coverage of tomorrow's game and I'll be here for a game thread as well.
nice list Brian.
I'd add Manute Bol's death as one of the saddest moments of this awful year for Sixers fans.
Have a great 2011 you, your family and everybody else that loves this crazy team.
Let's put it this wasy, it can't get much worse (just wanted to end on a sweet note, LOL)
Take care
oh, and if you want another encouraging sign, Hawes' 2/2 from the line @ Pho was the second time this year that he hit both FTs... isn't that awesome ?
we have one more game in the calendar year!
I'd like to add Douog Collins hiring to the good news of 2010 and as some hope for the future. He got this team to buy into playing defense again and he really seems to give a shit about the team's success and the indivdual players. And in his interviews he's always candid and seems like a genuine good guy. I'd love to play for him.
Yeah, how could you forget the best thing that happened to this team in '10? The return of Doug, who I believe will be remembered as one of the great figures in Sixers history - he will cement his legacy when he finally wins his first championship. He's simply one of the great people in basketball history, IMO.
+1. His passion for this team alone means a lot for the Sixers fans who are invested in the same way every single game. I want to see him on the bench for a long time.
Add a 2nd vote for Manute's death as a negative and the Collins hire as a positive.
Manute was the man.
Collins is (IMO) doing a great job. He seems to be holding the young players accountable and making them earn their time. The team is playing better defense and he's having better results despite the widely panned Dalembert trade and getting little production from Turner thus far. Most importantly, he's gotten Brand back to a high level of production - as an organization you have to get something out of that investment.
Thank you Brian. It's been such a relief and a pleasure to have this site to go to when the Sixers are playing, or during the draft or the lead-up to the season in late summer....just about anytime actually. The Sixers are my only sports obsession, and this place is a godsend.
The game threads are great.
Agreed.
Thanks Brian for the good year. I always wonder if your family thinks you are insane for working this much on this site, or if they are just as crazy about the team as you are
Heh, the kids are too young. My wife isn't really a sports fan, but she's really supportive. That's going to be put to the test tomorrow night, though.
Brian, you do a great job making this site "ball friendly". And yet another reason to trade Iggy, his replacement got a double-double. More Nocioni please!!!! :)
Brian, Thank you for organizing this site. I appreciate the ability to read about the Sixers all year round with a few fellow fanatics.
And to you and the others who post articles, thank you for your time, mis-spent as it probably is.
May you all have a happy and safe new year.